~Aiden~

The night felt heavier with every passing minute. Father and his council still hadn’t returned. Were they safe? Was everything all right?

I kept pacing the grand hall, my boots echoing with each step. It was the kind of night that left one troubled, the kind where silence spoke louder than screams.

My reflection appeared at the far end of the hall, walking toward me. It was Jayden, my identical twin, though we couldn’t have been more different inside.

“Bro,” he sighed, running a tired hand through his hair. “Give yourself a break. You know Father; he’s probably still dining with them. Come on, let’s go to bed.”

I shook my head restlessly. “No. Father hates Nightfang with every drop of blood in his veins. I just hope he hasn’t done something stupid.”

Jayden smirked lightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You always assume the worst.”

Before I could answer, a sharp honk split the silence. “That’s them,” Jayden said excitedly.

We ran to the tall window. Outside, the royal convoy rolled through the gates, dark cars, tinted windows, and the small Darkmoon flag fluttering in the cold wind.

My gut twisted. Something about the way the guards moved, too quick, alert, and cautious, made my instincts churn.

Jayden exhaled. “Told you he’d make it back.”

But I didn’t feel relieved. The air itself seemed to shiver as the doors opened.

Father entered first, his usual self, tall and broad-shouldered, although his expression was unreadable. The Beta and council members followed behind him, whispering low with grim faces.

Jayden and I bowed. “Evening, Father!” we chorused.

“How did it go?” I asked, my voice was uncertain.

“Come with me,” Father ordered. Just one word, and Jayden and I obeyed.

We followed him into the council chamber. The chandeliers glowed, throwing gold and shadow across the stone walls.

Father poured himself a drink, then turned to us. “The feast was… enlightening.”

Jayden slouched into a chair. “Meaning?”

“Meaning Nightfang believes they can charm me with peace while building strength behind closed doors.”

Jayden gave a small laugh. “Peace sounds like a nice change for once. But it’s something you initiated.”

Father’s eyes snapped to him. “Do you mock your Alpha, young man?”

Jayden didn’t back down. “Just saying. The world doesn’t have to bleed every time you shake someone’s hand.”

I groaned under my breath. “Jay, not now.”

But he was already standing. “You know what? I’m done listening to this. You want war? Fine. But don’t expect me to follow blindly. I’ll be in my studio, okay?”

“Sit down,” Father growled in a heavy tone.

Jayden froze mid-turn.

“You always run when duty calls,” Father continued, stepping closer. “Why can’t you be more like your brother?”

“Because art is my dream,” Jayden said quietly. “I’m not meant for your politics.”

“Your dream is nonsense,” Father snapped. “Dreams don’t lead packs. Power does.”

“Maybe I don’t want power,” Jayden shot back, a fierce look in his eyes. “Maybe I want peace.”

Father slammed his hand down on the table, making the light tremble. “Only one of you will lead this pack when I’m gone. One Alpha. One heir. And it won’t be the one who runs from responsibility.”

Jayden’s smile turned bitter. “Then crown Aiden already. He loves your throne enough for both of us.”

His words hit harder than any blow. I wanted to speak, to stop him, but he turned on me with the same fire in his eyes.

He faced Father again. “You want to know why Nightfang’s Alpha's daughter stands beside her father? Because he treats her like she belongs there. You treat us like soldiers, not sons… like strategies.”

“Watch your tongue,” Father warned.

“Why?” Jayden shot back. “So you can keep pretending we’re not broken? You admire Nightfang so much, go join them. Maybe you’ll finally find the perfect family you wanted.”

The room went still.

“Enough,” Father said finally, in a dangerous tone. “You will not speak to me like that again.”

Jayden’s throat bobbed as he tried to swallow his anger. “Then stop asking questions you don’t want the truth to.”

He turned and walked out, his boots echoed down the corridor like thunder fading into the distance.

Father didn’t move. He just stood there, staring at his glass in hand.

“He doesn’t understand,” he murmured. “He never does.”

“He’s hurting, Father. Since Mother died, there’s been no peace between you two. Maybe…”

“Peace?” he cut me off. “You think peace builds kingdoms?”

“No,” I said softly. “But maybe peace keeps them alive. Nightfang isn’t our enemy anymore. Let them breathe. Focus on Darkmoon for once.”

He laughed cold and humorless. “You sound like him. Naive. The ways of a king are not so simple, son.”

“It’s simple enough,” I said, steady. “You either protect your people or destroy them trying to prove your strength.”

He moved closer, as his shadow swallowed mine. “You think I don’t protect them? Every trade, every patrol, every alliance, it’s all for them.”

“Then stop chasing ghosts. Nightfang isn’t the threat.”

He slammed his fist again. “They are the infection that weakens us! Their success is our humiliation. Their alliances are daggers aimed at my back!”

“Then fix us. Fix what’s here before you burn what’s there.”

His jaw clenched. “You still have much to learn. Sometimes, war is peace. Sometimes, to save the pack, you must remind the world who we are.”

“Just because they strive better than us, you want to fight them? That’s jealousy, Father. In fact, it's wickedness.”

My chest burned with a mix of anger and sorrow.

“Jay is right; you are inconsiderate." I turned to leave, hoping he would say something, hoping the words would sting him into retracing his steps.

He didn’t respond. He just turned away, staring at the glass as if it held answers he’d already lost.

My father was nothing like a kind man; he was indeed a king and a monster, both living in the same person.

Thunder rumbled outside as the rain began to pour heavily, shaking the windows. Jayden’s words still echoed in my head, sharp and bleeding, as I sat at my room window, staring into the night.

For the first time, I realized peace wasn’t just a dream. It was rebellion, and my father would never stand for peace.